Chapter 85: An Unexpected Encounter with the Xie Siblings

“Meimei, get in touch with Nursemaid. There are some things I need her help to buy,” Wei Ruo said enthusiastically.

First, Wei Ruo needed to prepare all the necessary materials, namely sawdust, wood shavings, and either rice bran or wheat bran. These were the main ingredients for making mushroom cultivation bags. Among them, sawdust and wood shavings made up the majority, each accounting for about forty percent. She could purchase these two items cheaply from carpenters in the city. The remaining rice bran and wheat bran were also easy to acquire, and neither was expensive. The initial purchase didn’t need to be large; once the method was proven successful and feasible, she would consider scaling up.

The task of procurement was handed to the nursemaid, while Wei Ruo herself needed to survey the caves in Xingshan County to see if there were any that met her requirements for temperature and humidity.

With her plan set, Wei Ruo set out to act. For this outing, she brought along Madam Zhang as usual. Following Wei Ruo had raised Madam Zhang’s status in the southern part of the city and she had benefited much from her, especially in terms of food. Although Wei Ruo didn’t involve Madam Zhang in her other ventures, she often had her help provide cover for her comings and goings to and from the Commandant’s residence.

Madam Zhang was a straightforward person. Since she benefited from Wei Ruo, she never said much. She was someone who disliked trouble; as long as Wei Ruo didn’t stir up any major issues, she had no desire to run to the Yun family and report her.

The mountains in the west were even more barren and rugged. If the northern hills still had some potential for being terraced for farming, these were not even worth considering—barren, steep, and full of rocks, only suitable for gathering firewood. Only local woodcutters and hunters ever visited them.

The carriage couldn’t make it up the mountain, so it stopped by the roadside nearby. Seeing Wei Ruo getting ready to climb, Madam Zhang grew anxious, “Miss, I advise you not to go up there. There’s nothing much on that mountain, it’s just not worth it.”

“It’s all right. I just want to walk around. These rugged mountains might even have some valuable medicinal herbs. The trip won’t be for nothing,” Wei Ruo replied.

The local villagers didn’t recognize medicinal herbs well, so Wei Ruo figured she had a good chance of finding some on such treacherous terrain. Of course, her main purpose was to see for herself how many caves there were on the mountain, their sizes, and whether the temperature and humidity inside would truly make them natural cultivation rooms for mushrooms.

Seeing her resolve, Madam Zhang no longer tried to dissuade her, though she herself had no intention of climbing, “Then, Miss, this old servant will wait for you here with the carriage. The mountain is too steep for my legs.”

“It’s fine, you just wait down here. If you get tired, rest in the carriage,” Wei Ruo said. She hadn’t intended to bring Madam Zhang up the mountain anyway; otherwise, she wouldn’t know how to explain things once she started searching for caves.

Wei Ruo and Xiumei climbed the mountain together; this kind of thing was nothing new to them. As far as Xiumei was concerned, as long as her young lady wasn’t sneaking off alone, she was relieved.

What she feared most was her young lady going off alone into deep mountains and forests without telling her—she’d worry herself sick if that happened.

Just as the two were about to head up, a group of people appeared on another path in the distance. They looked familiar, and as they came closer, Wei Ruo recognized them—it was the Xie siblings.

Xie Ying also recognized Wei Ruo and quickened her pace, running over to her. “Ruoruo!”

“Slow down, be careful not to fall,” Wei Ruo cautioned.

Behind Xie Ying, Xie Jue echoed the warning, “Yingying, did you hear that? Miss Wei also told you to be careful. This path is full of weeds, twigs, and loose stones—a fall could be serious!”

“I’m fine, you two needn’t worry about me,” Xie Ying replied confidently, certain she wouldn’t trip—she was quite capable, after all.

Then Xie Ying asked, “Ruoruo, what brings you here?”

“I’m here to gather medicinal herbs,” Wei Ruo answered, deciding not to mention the mushroom project for now.

Hearing that, Xie Ying’s eyes lit up. “The thing you gave me last time—I gave it to my mother, and she had it prepared just the way you said. She said it worked!”

“I’m glad it helped,” Wei Ruo smiled.

“So this time, I want to come gather herbs too! Once I find something, you can tell me how to use it!” With her previous success, Xie Ying was now full of enthusiasm.

Beside them, Xie Jue was puzzled. “Sister, what medicine did you bring mother last time? Was she ill? Why did she need it?”

“That’s a girl’s secret. Not telling you!” Xie Ying pulled Wei Ruo aside, deliberately keeping Xie Jue from overhearing.

Xie Jue could only sigh, “Sister, I care about mother too—can’t I be concerned about her health?”

“No, you can’t!” Xie Ying refused flatly.

Unable to persuade his sister, Xie Jue turned to Wei Ruo, “Cousin Wei, could you tell me—is my mother unwell?”

“Your esteemed mother is in no serious condition, you need not worry,” Wei Ruo replied.

Xie Ying, looking smug, declared, “Give it up, brother. Ruoruo and I are on the same side.”

Xie Jue could only sigh, “Very well.”

With that, Xie Ying pulled Wei Ruo along as they climbed, chatting as they went.

Wei Ruo asked, “By the way, what are you doing here?”

“Did you forget? My family has a country house nearby. My brother and I came for a visit, and decided to stroll around,” Xie Ying explained.

Xie Ying had an active nature and found being cooped up at home stifling. Now that her brother was around, she seized every opportunity to have him take her out.

They hadn’t walked far before Wei Ruo found some Paris polyphylla. She carefully harvested them as if they were treasures.

“What’s this, Ruoruo?” Xie Ying asked curiously.

“This is Paris polyphylla, also known as chonglou—it’s excellent for treating snakebites. See, it’s easy to recognize: usually the leaves form a circle of seven, sometimes six. It’s not easy to find, so we’re lucky to have come across it today,” Wei Ruo explained.

Xie Ying listened intently, and even Xie Jue seemed intrigued. After searching around with Xie Ying, he too found a similar plant and hurriedly called Wei Ruo over to check.

“Yes, that is also Paris polyphylla,” confirmed Wei Ruo.

Receiving her affirmation, Xie Ying carefully dug it up and, once she had a whole plant, proudly showed it to her brother. “Look, brother, didn’t I do a good job?”

“Mm, my sister’s is the best,” Xie Jue praised her unconditionally. Whatever his sister did, it was always the best—of that there was no doubt. Even if it was just digging up a medicinal herb, hers would have to be more beautiful than anyone else’s.

After finishing with the Paris polyphylla, Xie Ying saw Wei Ruo picking some small withered grass from the ground.

“Ruoruo, isn’t that just dried wild grass? Why are you picking it?” Xie Ying asked.